Seafood lovers, take note！ Live crabs and fresh seafood are the stars—Xinzhu’s omakase Japanese restaurant

Text and photos byDaKou

Remember when we previously introduced a live crab Japanese restaurant in Zhubei? Located at the intersection of Wenxin Road and Wenlu Street in Zhubei City, “Crab Joy Japanese Cuisine” is exactly that—a Japanese restaurant that highlights live crabs and fresh seafood. In addition to offering omakase courses priced at NT$1,000, NT$1,500, and NT$2,000, there are also lunch specials and set meals to choose from, making it suitable for both small and large groups. This time, DaKou gathered a few close friends to enjoy the NT$1,000/person omakase set meal, which was not only fresh and generous in portion, but also left everyone feeling full and satisfied. We also ordered the lunch special N<饭，不管是口味、分量还是鲜度都不错，非常适合上班族或是中午想来点清爽口味的朋友，也是非常不赖喔!

The 100% beef hot pot anti-boredom set meal is located on the first floor of the building near the Zhubei Bus Station and the Zhubei MRT Station, and is a Japanese restaurant themed around freshness and seafood. The seating area is divided between the first and second floors, with four-person tables, traditional Japanese-style tatami seating, round tables, and private rooms, making it suitable for groups of all sizes.

There’s also a counter seat where you can watch the chef cook while enjoying your meal. If you have any questions, you can ask the chef directly.

The restaurant's interior also features many nautical elements and ocean-themed decorations, giving off a stylish vibe.

On the side of the private room area, there’s a special display corner with some handicrafts, adding an artistic touch.

The menu options here are mainly based on what the chef recommends or what ingredients are freshest that day, so you can fully trust the chef’s selection.

This time, we chose a location that’s very close to the Zhubei Bus Station, so you can rest assured about finding it and won’t need to worry about getting lost.

The dishes we had this time were part of the NT$1,000 per person omakase course (reservation required, for groups of five or more). There are also NT$1,500 and NT$2,000 omakase courses available (reservation required, can be enjoyed solo). It wasn’t long before the appetizers arrived—the first was edamame, which was salty, fragrant, and crisp, making it quite appetizing.

Next came the sashimi platter, which included tuna, salmon, yellowtail, scallops, and sweet shrimp. The portions were generous, and the fish was sliced quite thick. What stood out was that they used high-quality ingredients, and the presentation was also very refined.

The scallop carpaccio was made using sweet scallops, which were sweet and tender, exuding a rich umami flavor. The citrus salad with orange slices added a refreshing and aromatic touch, cutting through the richness. The cod liver and onion salad had a delicate and soft texture, with almost no fishy smell from the liver. Paired with the onion salad, it was smooth and refreshing.

The sweet shrimp was sweet and juicy, with a rich umami taste. The shrimp was thinly sliced and wrapped around a generous amount of fish roe. One bite delivered a sweet, tender, and Q-textured experience, along with the fun pop of the fish eggs, offering a very diverse mouthfeel.

The yellowtail sashimi was fresh and melt-in-your-mouth, with a special kind of fat and sweetness. It was rich and delicious.

The sea urchin was already very fresh when it arrived. It had a rich, creamy flavor that was incredibly sweet and delicious.

The grilled eggplant had a smoky aroma and a soft texture. The flavor of the eggplant was rich and very fragrant.

There was also a dish where different ingredients were layered together, and the overall taste was surprisingly harmonious.

The tuna sashimi we tried next was soft, Q-textured, and full, with a special kind of oiliness and sweetness. It was rich in flavor and delicious.

The uni (sea urchin) was already very fresh when served, and its flavor was incredibly sweet and fragrant.

The fatty tuna was another highlight for us. It was soft, tender, and smooth, with a special oily aroma melting in your mouth, bringing a great sense of happiness. The tuna had been lightly seared, so you could enjoy both the fresh, Q-textured, sweet flesh as well as the aroma from the searing, with a very diverse texture.

Each person was also served a different dish or seafood item, and everything looked equally appealing.

When we opened the lid, it turned out to be a hot pot dish, which was also quite impressive.

We also tried the sesame tofu, which had a smooth and delicate texture. The flavor of the miso soup was also rich, and the combination with the sesame tofu added even more points, with a very rich texture.

Later, we were served a stir-fried dish with seasonal vegetables. The portion wasn’t too large, but it was flavorful, and there were also some pickled vegetables that added a tangy contrast.

The dessert that came with the meal was also quite special. It used fresh mango and was topped with ice cream. The mango was sweet and fragrant, and the contrast with the cold ice cream was very refreshing.　

The service here is also very warm and attentive. They will check on you from time to time and are happy to answer any questions.

You can also customize your meal according to your personal preferences.

Overall, the meal was very satisfying. The freshness of the ingredients, the chef’s careful preparation, and the overall dining experience all left a deep impression.

What’s the ratio of ingredients in this dish? It turns out to be a perfect balance with the seasoning and the tender beef, which is incredibly delicious when paired together. We also love having it with garlic slices — they’re crispy, fragrant, and full of garlic flavor without being too spicy. It really enhances the taste when eaten with the beef!

You can see there’s quite a lot of rice in this meal. Our group of five ended up feeling pretty stuffed — not to mention the girls, who were practically full to the top of their heads!

We chose the rice pot set meal, which includes braised pork belly, sweet potato, peanuts, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms. The portion is quite generous as well.

Because we used high-quality rice, each grain is plump and has great texture. When mixed with the other ingredients and the bamboo shoot flavors, it not only reduces the greasiness but also adds a nice aroma.

The bamboo shoots can also be taken out and stir-fried separately. They’re super crispy and tasty.

We didn’t eat the shrimp heads at first because we thought they might not be tasty, but then we tried the sweet and juicy shrimp meat, which pairs wonderfully with the slightly sweet and sour salad — it’s smooth and delicious. The vegetables, fruits, and fish roe also add a refreshing texture, making the dish light and not greasy, very satisfying!

The sauce that comes with the shrimp is also great. You can dip the grilled squid or scallops in it. After grilling, the squid becomes tender and flavorful, and the roe bursts with juice in your mouth. It’s simply delicious!

When the dish first came out, we were all amazed by how lively the crab was. It was still jumping around on the wooden plate, full of energy!

We originally ordered the snow crab, but since it wasn’t available, we switched to the rose paste crab miso soup. The pot was almost entirely filled with crabs!

The crab was very fresh and had been stored properly. We could enjoy it just as it was without any additional cooking.

Everyone who tried it loved it. The meat of the rose paste crab is extremely soft, fragrant, and tender — juicy and very enjoyable!

Friends who love seafood should definitely try the set meal here. The clams are all very fresh, and when paired with the sweet soup base, it’s rich and delicious — easy to drink and very satisfying!

We also ordered the oyster vermicelli. The oysters are very fresh and sweet, and the price is quite reasonable too.

The vermicelli is made from high-quality ingredients and includes squid, cuttlefish, pork, and mushrooms. The price is very affordable per person, and the taste is excellent.

If you don’t want to spend too much, you can try the more affordable squid or cuttlefish vermicelli. The squid and cuttlefish are very fresh and sweet, and the broth is flavorful. It’s not too heavy, and it leaves you feeling refreshed!

We also ordered stir-fried squid, cabbage, mushrooms, and seaweed. Each dish has its own unique natural flavor. The squid is cooked just right — not too tough or too soft. The broth is also very flavorful, truly delicious!

The fish ball soup is also great. The fish balls are handmade, and especially the ones with minced pork are very bouncy. They have a nice chewy texture without being too fishy, which is really good.

Another soup we tried was the clam and radish soup. The clams are very fresh, and the broth is rich and flavorful. The radish adds a nice touch, and the overall taste is very comforting.

The purple sweet potato and red bean soup is also not overly sweet. The flavor is just right, and it’s very warming and comforting to eat.

We also saw some new dishes being introduced recently.<饭单点，非常适合上班族或是中午想品尝日本料理却又不想大鱼大肉的朋友!像这道三色N<就非常适合女孩儿或是想要享用多种口味N<饭的朋友!

The dishes here are all freshly prepared to order.<饭，底层不仅铺有一层寿司米饭，上头腌渍的鲑鱼卵咸度颇为刚好，搭配起来美味又顺口!

The other set meal we ordered was the seafood hot pot.<饭，虽然分量不大但是海胆给得相当大器，搭配享用颇为香甜鲜美!

This set also includes squid, fresh fish slices, and other ingredients.<饭，不仅可以吃到蟹肉的纤维与鲜甜，还能吃到蟹膏的香浓美味，小黄瓜适时解腻，搭配起来颇为清爽开胃!一旁搭配的是渍物、山椒酱油及味噌汤，一整份吃下来其实也满有饱足感的!

You can also customize your own hot pot ingredients. We ordered some of the set meals.<饭上头，就能享用咸甜交错的鲜美滋味Up!

The service is great.<，餐如其名~里头除了帝王蟹之外，还有超多款的生鱼片、看起来真的是超级澎湃的啦!

The service staff are very attentive and check on you frequently.

The grilled squid is especially good. It’s made on-site and uses fresh ingredients. The squid is firm and Q弹性, super sweet, and pairing it with sesame sauce really brings out the aroma. The texture is very layered and delicious!

There are also plenty of toppings like scallops, abalone, tamagoyaki, and others. It feels like a very generous portion with lots of fresh ingredients, which is very satisfying!

The other hot pot we tried included ingredients like razor clams, squid, oysters, mushrooms, and greens. The freshness is top-notch — not only sweet and delicious, but also very diverse. Eating a bowl of it is just so satisfying!

I’m really full now.<，又称为十八N<，因为里头足足有十八种不同的食材啊!

% of the seasoning blend consists of soy sauce, mirin, vinegar, spices, garlic, and more. The taste is rich and layered. Each dish uses a different combination, and when paired with various fresh ingredients, it becomes even more delicious. Every bite offers a surprising variety of flavors, both savory and diverse!

% of their dishes are not only generous in portion but also impressive in presentation. They not only have high-quality ingredients, but the price-to-quality ratio is also quite balanced. Pairing different ingredients with various fresh elements adds even more points. Each bite brings a delightful change of flavors, making the experience both delicious and varied!

“Crab Joy Japanese Cuisine” not only offers a spacious and comfortable dining environment with a strong Japanese ambiance, but also has a diverse menu selection. In addition to omakase courses, lunch specials, and set meals, à la carte options are also available—suitable for both large and small groups. This time, we indulged in the ¥1000 per person omakase course, which requires a group of five or more to be served as a set meal. Meanwhile, the ¥1500 and ¥2000 omakase courses have no minimum guest requirement—perfect for solo diners too—but be sure to make a reservation in advance. There are also multi-person set meals and private room options, making it ideal for gatherings of friends, family reunions, or colleague dinners. Friends who are interested are welcome to come and try—it’s possible you’ll fall in love with it just like we did after one bite!

Crab Joy Japanese Cuisine
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Address: No. 285, Wenxin Road, Zhubei City
Phone: 03-6573318
Business Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–21:30 (Monday to Sunday)

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